Orlando Area

Orlando Area - COMMUNITY NOTES

Community Notes

Parents and others concerned about families are invited to discuss child-rearing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.

The discussion, ''Raising Children in the '90s,'' is part of the ''Hard Choices'' program sponsored by Rollins College's Project Governance, The Orlando Sentinel, WFTV-Channel 9 and WMFE-Channel 24.

''We will address three perspectives - one that stresses family values, another that promotes parental accountability, and a third that calls for expanded societal responsibility,'' said Richard Foglesong, director of Project Governance. He will moderate the discussion. ''We will not debate; rather, we will engage in democratic deliberation.''

The forum is free. For information, call (407) 646-2608.

- NEIGHBORHOODS UNITE

COMMUNITY LEADERS in many of Orlando's downtown neighborhoods have formed the District 4 Neighborhood Association Coalition. The first meeting last week drew 21 leaders from 10 associations.

''We realized we were duplicating each other's efforts,'' said Sue Macnamara, one of the organizers. ''Also, we feel like the elected officials will listen to a larger group of people.''

The group came up with a list of 17 issues of concern. Traffic and schools were at the top.

''At our next meeting we will prioritize and shorten that list to maybe the top 10, then we'll take it to our elected officials,'' Macnamara said. City Council member Bill Bagley represents District 4, which includes neighborhoods such as Audubon Park, Colonialtown, Lake Eola Heights, Lawsona/Ferncreek and Lake Underhill.

For information on the group, call Macnamara at (407) 896-6594.

- BRICKS FOR SUMMERLIN

ORLANDO RESIDENTS interested in the proposed brick restoration on Summerlin Avenue can learn the details of a cost-sharing plan during a meeting at 7 tonight.

Orlando is planning to install a new sewer pipe down the center of Summerlin Avenue between East South and East Robinson streets. Summerlin is brick beneath the asphalt. Plans call for rebuilding the intersections with brick paving and laying asphalt along the distance between the intersections.

But some residents say they want brick along the entire stretch.

Initially, an amendment was proposed that would have let the city pay for the brick restoration. Now, City Council member Bill Bagley, whose district includes that stretch of Summerlin, and the city's Special Assessments Committee say if the residents want brick they must pay for it.

The meeting is at Howard Middle School, 800 E. Robinson St. A ballot will be mailed to affected residents after the workshop to determine whether there is majority support for a cost-sharing plan.